You and Your Family
When it comes to suicide, a family member or friend may convey their suicidal thoughts to another through his or her actions, behaviors or comments. Unfortunately, because of stigma and fear that surround suicide, these overtures are usually met with SILENCE.
Learn more about how to recognize suicidal ideation and what you can do as a family member, friend or concerned coworker or classmate
- Threatening to hurt or kill oneself or talking about wanting to hurt or kill oneself.
- Looking for ways to kill oneself by seeking access to firearms, available pill, or other means.
- Talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide.
- Feeling hopeless
- Acting reckless or engaging in risky activity.
- Feeling trapped – like there is no way out.
- Increasing alcohol and/or drug use
- Withdrawing from Friends, family, and society.
- Dramatic mood changes.
- Seeing no reason for living or having no sense of purpose.
Learn ways to help someone
- Express your concern for that person and listen.
- Be direct and talk openly about suicide.
- Don’t dare him or her to do it.
- Reassure that person that you are there to help.
- Become involved in education on suicide prevention by attending a QPR course.
- Remove any means of suicide if able such as guns or pills.
- Don’t stay silent. SEEK SUPPORT. Contact an agency specializing in crisis intervention and suicide prevention.
For more information, or if you feel that you or someone you care about may be thinking about suicide, call 1-800-273-TALK. This is a national hotline – answered regionally, that can provide you with helpful information and support. Your calls can be anonymous.
For local assistance call North Central Health Care Crisis Center at 715-845-4326. Your calls can be anonymous.
If someone you care about is in crisis and may hurt themselves or others, and refusing to seek help. Call 911.
Survivors of Suicide Support Group (SOS)
The Marathon County SOS Group is a peer mediated grief support group for family members and friends of suicide victims.
Suicide is a traumatic event like no other that results in unique feelings of anger, guilt, and grief that are unlike a death by any other means. Healing can often begin by meeting with others who have shared that same loss.
The group offers the opportunity to meet and talk to others who really do understand what you are going through. We are a group with whom you can honestly ask your questions, express your feelings, and share your story without judgment. We have been where you now.
When: Second Tuesday of the month
Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: St. Marks Lutheran Church. 600 Stevens Drive, Wausau, 54403
Please call Henry or Bonnie at 715-359-9818 for questions or if you are planning to attend.
Grief Support Group
Ministry Home Care-Hospice Services provides grief support to everyone in the community, regardless of their involvement with hospice prior to the death of their loved one.
Ministry’s grief support groups are monthly adult gatherings for individuals and families who have experienced the death of a loved one. These gatherings provide a caring community for learning about grief, finding support, sharing memories, and identifying feelings. Groups meet in two Wausau locations each month:
Second Thursday – 1:30-3:00pm at Ministry Saint Clare’s Hospital (Chapel area), 3400 Ministry Parkway in Weston.
Third Thursday – 1:30-3:00pm at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 3200 N. Mountain Road in Rib Mountain.
There is no fee to attend, no pre-registration is required, and all adults are welcome. For more information on this and other grief support opportunities, please contact Gretchen Iverson, Ministry Home Care-Hospice Services, 715-843-9006.
Question, Persuade, and Refer
Take a QPR training. Learn all you can and be ready to talk freely about it – sometimes that’s all a person needs – someone to talk to!
For more information and helpful materials, visit Prevent Suicide Wisconsin.
